Geo-Targeting Study Focuses on Emergency Alerts

Using the area footprints associated with RF coverage, a new study hopes to improve geo-targeting granularity and accuracy for the delivery of wireless emergency alerts (WEAs). The study, titled “Constructing Algorithms that Utilize RF Cell Site Propagation Footprints for WEA,” will evaluate more focused alert notifications. It also will examine ways to provide increased safety to wireless device users in life-threatening situations. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate has selected TeleCommunication Systems (TCS) to perform the first phase of this research.

Specifically, TCS is tasked with providing recommendations to enhance geo-targeting methods, thereby increasing safety with more direct focus. Such improvements will help to standardize algorithms and data management processes, which can be critical for raising awareness of pending emergencies within specific geographic locations. Currently, the study is limited to test environments, as actual testing in the production environment would require the involvement of mobile operators. A second phase is being discussed that would facilitate real-world testing with mobile operators to verify theoretical concepts.